Tennis Kenya through the Confederation of Africa Tennis will lobby the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to change the selection process of athletes qualifying for the Olympics.
This comes in the wake of the African Games champion Angela Okutoyi missing out on the Paris Olympics which concluded on Sunday.
Previously, tennis players, who qualified for the Olympics, were given eight months to one year to meet the target either through ranking points or winning the continental titles.
Speaking Tuesday, TK executive officer, Nancy Nduku, said they do not want a repeat of the scenario for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
“ As a federation, we need to start our preparations and avoid the disappointment witnessed this year. Okutoyi was given two months to move up the rankings. I believe with a better-structured qualifying process, she can make it to Los Angeles,” added Nduku
Nduku underscored the process will include lobbying other continental federations in Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Oceania to have the continental champions given direct tickets to the Olympics.
“The five continents will make submissions to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and a decision will be made at the next Africa Games in 2027,” added Nduku
Following the submissions, ITF will submit the recommendations to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Okutoyi said with three years to the next Olympics, she is confident she can qualify. “I'm in good shape and with the scholarship at Auburn University and God willing, I hope to qualify," she said.
Okutoyi bagged her third Kenya Open title over the weekend, beating Alicia Owegi 6-1, 6-1 at the Nairobi Club. She is expected to return to her base in the United States of America (USA) this week.
Following her win, Okutoyi moved to 509 in the latest WTA rankings. She will also be keen to play in the qualifying rounds of the United States Open which is slated to start next week in New York.
She is lined up to also play in the US collegiate circuit and future tennis tournaments on the ITF Circuit later in the year
Elsewhere, Team Kenya will be represented by six players at the ITF/CAT Eastern Africa Junior Under-12 Championships in Dar-es-salaam
Indiatsi Olembo, Khalil Nathani and Lewis Onyango are in the boys' category while Bathseba Ogamba, Paula Ouko and Naila Gikunda are in the girls' category.
